Coun Maxwell added: “We also seek to get best value for money by using alternative materials where appropriate to prolong the life of our road surfaces.

“We also attract millions of pounds of additional investment for infrastructure projects such as Lindisfarne Roundabout and the Arches junction improvements.”

According to the RAC data, around 1.7 million potholes were reported across Britain between 2014 – 2017.

Factoring in councils who failed to provide data, the insurance and breakdown firm believe the figure could stretch to £2.4 million over the same period.

And in 2017 alone, more than half a million potholes were reported, an increase of 44 per cent from 2015.

RAC head of roads policy, Nicholas Lyes, said: “It’s shocking to see the number of reported potholes in Britain has risen by nearly 50 per cent in two years.

“Our own analysis of breakdown data shows the damage suffered by motorists is a constant source of frustration and expense, but the scale of the problem is obviously far greater than the numbers show.”

To report potholes to South Tyneside Council visit: portal.southtyneside.info/eservices/frmFindReportIt.aspx